Members of the SGM Educators Division gathered at SGM Culture Centre, Cheras, for the annual Educators Seminar on May 30 and 31, 2009. The theme for the seminar was "The Spirit of Mentor-Disciple and Education."

The seminar began with a message from SGI President Ikeda. President Ikeda said that children are the hope of the world. Towards this end, the education and character development of the young is an undertaking of the highest priority for educators. President Ikeda firmly believes that education would ensure peace and human happiness. From the message, participants realised that they have an important mission to actualise President Ikeda's vision of humanistic education in society.

In the following session, SGM General Director Choo Kong Fei talked about the importance of the mentor-disciple spirit, and how this spirit is the prime point of Soka humanistic education. Mr Choo urged the educators to do their utmost to nurture capable educators as a way to repay their debt of gratitude to their mentor. This was followed by a forum on the theme of the seminar, "The Spirit of Mentor-Disciple and Education," presented by educators from Melaka and Johor. Later on, participants were divided into small groups for further discussion on the theme.

The following day, an insightful talk entitled "Challenges for Today's Educators", was delivered by Chew Chin Chong from Kuala Lumpur. In his talk, Chew shared that students are like diamonds, waiting to be carved and shaped to reveal their inherent brilliance. However, in order to bring out this brilliance, educators too must be like diamonds. Chew said that educators have to know what each student's strength and weaknesses are, in order to help them discover their potential. Humanistic education is an undertaking of love, and educators should realise their mission in realising the awakening of the human spirit, especially in our children.

The final session for the seminar was a small group discussion on the topic "Teachers Love Reading?" was conducted. The decline of the reading culture in our society, even among teachers, has led an age to where students shun books and miss out on developing their humanity. Participants discussed on how their reading habits and how they strive to inculcate the reading habit among their colleagues, students and family members.

SGM Vice-General Director and Educators' Division Leader Assoc. Prof. Lee Kok Kheng then delivered his conclusion to wrap up the seminar. With the various challenges facing the world today, it is difficult to practice Soka education in the real world. Assoc Prof Lee stressed that it is important that Soka educators have self-awakening and gratitude to carry out their human revolution towards achieving the ideals of Soka education. Ultimately, Soka educators must actualise the spirit of mentor and disciple in the education profession. The victory of Soka education depends on the disciple. The participants later gathered for a group photograph before departing for their home states.